Commissioners Notebook: July 2025
Published on July 18, 2025
The Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) is working to amplify its employee wellness program with a new therapy dog.
Thanks to a grant, CCSO will receive Sage—a female Bernese Mountain Dog/Poodle mix—later this month.
At the Board of Commissioners July 7 Work Session, Chief Deputy Tessa Burchett and Wellness Sergeant Candis Elwood announced the grant award from Highland Canine Connect, based out of Harmony, North Carolina.
Highland Connect partners with Highland Canine Training to provide therapy dogs to organizations that would benefit from support services.
The grant award is $6,500 and covers all necessary training. No County match is required. The dog's vet care is also covered.
Sage will be used to comfort deputies impacted during critical incidents. She’ll also make visits around the department and help with recruitment efforts.
“We are very passionate about the wellness program for our employees,” Burchett told commissioners. “We encourage our employees to care for themselves so they can do their job and respond compassionately.”
According to Burchett, law enforcement officers experience trauma at a much higher rate than the general population. On average, officers will experience 188 critical incidents throughout their career. That means they experience PTSD at a rate of 35% as opposed to 6.8% of the general population.
Sage isn’t first wellness-focused addition to the department.
In 2024, the Sheriff’s Office partnered with Responder Support Services to provide employees with a licensed behavioral clinician, making mental health care more accessible. The clinicians specialize in working with individuals recovering from trauma, anxiety, sleep difficulties, couples counseling, substance use and more.
Also during the Work Session, the board:
- Heard a presentation from Active Living and Parks (ALP) Director Byron Haigler on newly installed weather stations across four County parks. The Perry Weather Systems provide real-time lightning and storm detection, sending automated notifications to staff and park users regarding incoming hazardous weather conditions. Since the installation, the weather stations have proven their value by alerting staff to approaching storms, allowing for timely evacuation of ball fields, pools and trails, Haigler said.
- Heard from ALP Program/Events Manager Rae Moore on a youth programming grant. North Carolina Amateur Sports offered ALP a $1,500 grant to provide funding for various improvements, such as equipment or facility upgrades for amateur sports teams and participants. The department plans to use the funds for pickleball training equipment for youth programming and camps.
- Heard a proposed project from Cabarrus County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) CEO Donna Carpenter on creating a cross-country course on a portion of the former Stonewall Jackson property adjacent to Frank Liske Park. The course would be used by the University of North Carolina Charlotte cross-country team and other county-related events. The project will be funded through occupancy tax collections rather than property taxes. Project plans are contingent on various factors, including construction of a second entrance for Frank Liske Park. Commissioners and County staff expressed their excitement for the project’s potential. County Manager Sean Newton and Deputy County Manager Kelly Sifford shared that the County has funding available for the construction of the new entrance if state funds aren’t available. According to Sifford, money that was initially planned for the construction of a splash pad at Frank Liske Park was redirected to help fund the second entrance. County officials are currently working on feasibility plans for the project.
Commissioners will meet on Monday (July 21) at 6 p.m. at the Cabarrus County Government Center in downtown Concord.
Residents can watch commissioner meetings on the Cabarrus County livestream at cabarruscounty.us, YouTube (@CabarrusCounty) and CabCo TV (Spectrum Cable Channel 22).
To read the full Work Session agenda, visit cabarruscounty.us/Government/Boards-and-Committees/Board-Meetings, click the June 2 Work Session tab and select “Agenda” under “Related Information.” Watch the full July Work Session at youtube.com/cabarruscounty.
Stay updated on these and all County programs and projects by visiting cabarruscounty.us/CabGo.